Red cell distribution width (RDW) is one of the standard parameters with blood cell counts. Much previous research has indicated that it increases in cases of systemic inflammation or cardiametabolic incident. However, information on the relation of RDW with solid tumors causing systemic inflammation is limited. In the present research, we examined the relation of RDW with malignant and benign lesions of the colon. 115 patients with colon polyps (group 1), and 30 with colon cancer (group 2) who were diagnosed histopathologically in our clinic between January 2010-January 2013 were scanned retrospectively. Patients with anemia, hematologic diseases and active inflammation were excluded. RDW, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), hemoglobin (Hgb) and platelet (Plt) measurements were recorded and their relations with the malignant and benign lesions of the colon were examined. Both groups were similar in age and gender distribution. RDW values of patients with colon cancer were significantly higher than the patients with colon polyp (p=0,01). No significant differences were detected between the two groups in terms of MCV and Plt values (p>0,05). RDW can be used as an early warning biomarker for solid colon tumors. Further prospective research is required on the relations of cheap and easily measured RDW parameters with colon malignancies.

Incisional hernia is a significant problem after laparotomy, and there is still no consensus on an ideal treatment method. The aim of this study was to compare the results of onlay and sublay mesh repair techniques. In this randomized prospective trial, 100 patients were divided into two groups: onlay and sublay groups. Recurrences were evaluated by performing a physical examination. The median follow-up was 37.1 (26.6 to 46.5) months. In the onlay group, the mean operation time was significantly shorter. However, in terms of postoperative pain and wound complications, the sublay group had significantly better results. The recurrence rates were found to be similar in both groups (6% in the onlay group and 2% in the sublay group). In the treatment of incisional hernia, sublay mesh repair is superior to onlay mesh repair in terms of postoperative pain and wound complications. Both techniques have similar recurrence rates.

We aimed to compare the effects of topical zinc oxide and topical silver sulfadiazine in the treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds. The study was conducted with 20 New Zealand rabbits, and burn wounds were created by a brass probe. The animals were randomly divided into two groups. The burns were treated with zinc oxide (Group O) or silver sulfadiazine (Group S) with daily application. The wound healing process was followed both clinically and histopathologically. We determined the days at which 50% and 80% re-epithelization was observed. The mean time for 50% and 80% re-epithelization was 21.4 and 25.4 days in Group O and 25.8 and 30.2 days in Group S, respectively (p<0.001). The mean score for wound colonization was lower in Group O. The difference was statistically significant at weeks 2, 3, 4, and 6 (p<0.001). In the histopathological examination, the thicknesses of the epidermis, dermis and scar tissue were 0.12 mm, 3.80 mm and 244 mm in Group O, and 0.16 mm, 4.76 mm and 3.16 mm in Group S, respectively (p<0.001). In this experimental burn study, zinc oxide was more effective than silver sulfadiazine in terms of epithelization, dermis maturation and scar formation.

To investigate the effects of video-based information on the anxiety of patients who underwent ultrasound-guided thyroid fine-needle aspiration biopsy. Fifty consecutive patients who underwent thyr...